Surf: Once named the best big-wave pointbreak in the world by Surfer Magazine, Ponta Jardim now suffers severe backwash at mid to high tide from a new seawall built in 2003. The break still has its days when the critical drops lead into long, fast, powerful walls, but they are much less frequent and only last for a few hours around dead low tide. Experts with pintails only. Directions: Follow main highway on south shore , past Ribeira Brava and Calheta, and look for signs for Jardim do Mar. Environment: Getting in and out of the water on a big day can be downright frightening and the new seawall has made the waves break even closer to shore, so beware. Best shot is to paddle out from the backside of the point, to the west of the village.